The Revolutionary War and Filling an Army

The Revolutionary War in Broad Strokes

• british were stronger, but their power had limits:
    * army too big to be defeated outright
    * too small to suppress rebellion everywhere
    * lukewarm public support in britain
    * french entry in 1778 (after battle of Saratoga) tied up resources elsewhere
• british controlled large cities for much of the war
    * new york, boston, charles town
    * but, 90% of colonists were rural
• patriot power strong in the countryside
• two broad types of violence:
    * formal campaigns between british and continental regular armies
      * continentals fought war of attrition to wear down british
    * localized partisan civil war and insurgency

Filling the Ranks of a “Respectable Army”

• high militia turnout faded fast
    * militia remained important in some places, especially southern and western guerilla warfares
• winning required a professional army
    * colonists mistrusted professional militaries
    * few willing to enlist long term
    * most continental regulars were poor/marginal
      * immigrants, unemployed, etc.
      * drafts/ conscription in some places
      * wealthy colonists hired substitutes
    * continental army later joined the british in recruiting black americans